Image stabilization and balancing system

ABSTRACT

An image stabilization system for use with a camera by a camera operator. The stabilization system includes a body member having a generally C-shape with a first end at one end of the C-shape and a second end at the other end of the C-shape with a top portion at the first end of the C-shape and a bottom portion at the second end of the C-shape. A monopod, made up of a plurality of elongated sections arranged in a telescopic manner to extend the length of the monopod, is operatively secured to the bottom of C-shape. An adjustable camera mounting plate is secured to the body member. An elongated handle is secured to the body member by a universal joint for movably securing a first end of the handle member to the body member so that the handle member is movable in all directions. Weights may be secured to the body member to balance a camera on the mounting plate so that the camera is stabilized when the stabilization device is moved in any direction. The handle member may be secured to the body member so that the system can be used as a monopod. The camera can also be mounted to the bottom of the monopod in order to provide stabilized shooting while to camera is moving near the ground and the camera operator observes the action on a screen attached to the top of the stabilization device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the stabilization of video and filmcamera images recorded by the camera during shooting. In particular, thepresent invention relates to a system for use with a camera to balance acamera during shooting so that the resulting images recorded by thecamera are stable to the viewer when the images are projected on ascreen, in the case of film, or on a display, in the case of video.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is not to be confused with internal mechanical andelectrical stabilization systems mostly found in video cameras. Thesestabilization systems rely on mechanical and electrical adjustmentswithin the camera to compensate for movement of the camera duringshooting.

One prior art device, known as Glidecam 2000 Pro, is a lightweight,hand-held, camcorder stabilizing system, which allows a cameraman toshoot smooth shots even while going to extremes like running up and downstairs or traveling over rugged terrain.

The Glidecam 2000 Pro has an offset handle grip attached to a freefloating Gimbal, which allows the user's hand to move up and down, andside to side, thereby isolating the user's hands from unwanted motionsfrom the camera.

A camera platform moves back and forth, and side to side, to allowadjustment of the cameras horizontal balance. By varying the amount ofcounterweight disks on a base platform the camera's vertical balance canbe adjusted.

The Glidecam 2000 Pro supports any camcorder or movie camera weighing upto 6 pounds. A small LCD monitor can be attached to a base monitor mounthole provided on the Glidecam 2000 Pro.

Another prior art device is known as Steadicam JR and is manufacturedand distributed by The Tiffen Company. Steadicam JR is a compact,personal Steadicam for lightweight Compact VHS, Super VHS-C, 8 mm, Hi8,Super Hi8 and Mini DV camcorders weighing up to 4 pounds. Structurally,the Steadicam JR is similar to the Glidecam 2000 Pro and is made up of acamera platform, a gimbal handle, a flat screen monitor and two foldingarms. The heart of the Steadicam JR is a stabilization concept that usesweights and balances, which places the center of gravity within itsfree-floating, inter-gimbaled handle assembly.

Finally, another device for stabilizing a camera during shooting is aconventional tripod or monopod. These devices provide three legs, in thecase of a tripod, and one leg, in the case of a monopod, to touch theground and provide a balance for a camera attached to the top of thetripod or monopod.

Although these devices perform their individual tasks well, there is aneed for a device that embodies all of the best attributes of thestabilization devices and the monopod in a light, compact construction.The present invention is directed toward filling that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The stabilization device of the present invention centers on a main bodypart that consists of a generally C-shaped member terminating in a toptubular portion at the top of the C-shaped member and in a bottomtubular portion at the bottom of the C-shaped member. Secured to the toptubular portion is a threaded member to which is secured a cameramounting assembly.

The top tubular portion contains a hollow portion that is generallycylindrically shaped and extends upward from the bottom surface of thetop tubular portion. The hollow portion is sized to receive a gimbal inthe form of a device with two mutually perpendicular and intersectingaxes of rotation, thus giving free angular movement in two directions.

Secured to the bottom tubular portion of the main body is an elongatedhollow sleeve, which receives the top end of a monopod. The monopod hasa conventional structure consisting of telescoping legs andcomplementary leg locks. The monopod terminates at its bottom end in aconventional foot used to obtain sure footing when the stabilizationdevice is used in a monopod mode. The foot can also supply a spiked endto enhance placement of the monopod to the ground. The stabilizationdevice has a series of detachable weights.

The operation of the stabilization device will now be described. Thestabilization device has a series of detachable weights. Initially, acamera is mounted to the camera mounting assembly. Id this way, thecamera-mounting platform moves for-and-aft and side-to-side to allowadjustment of the horizontal balance of the stabilization device Thecamera should now be balanced and the monopod should be positioned in astraight vertical line orientation.

Now the camera and monopod structure will be balanced. Initially, threebalancing weights are secured about the sleeve. Also, the handle shouldbe held at about a 45-degree angle. The weights are then moved up anddown; eventually a point will be reached where the camera can rightitself when tipped. Once balance has been reached, the camera can thenbe moved in any direction and, despite the thrusting movement, thecamera will stay straight. For a small camera, one or more weightsshould be secured to the top tubular portion as part of the balancingprocess.

The stabilization device can also be used like a conventional monopod.This is accomplished by moving the handle into a vertical position.Rotation of a clearance member causes the handle to encompass a cap inorder to fix the position of the handle, relative to the C-shaped memberso that the stabilization device can be held by the handle while themonopod is extended to touch the ground. In this way the stabilizationdevice can be used as a monopod.

The stabilization device can also be used for low camera shooting. Inorder to properly mount the camera, the present invention uses arectangular frame that consists of a bottom portion, two side portionsand top portion. Together these portions join to form a frame forreceiving a camera. At the center of the top of the frame there is athreaded bore for receiving a threaded portion defined at the bottom ofthe monopod. In order to be able to follow the action when using thecamera, an LCD screen is mounted to the top of the stabilization device.Finally, the stabilization device with the bottom frame and the camerais balanced in much the same way as when the camera is mounted to thetop of the stabilization device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the present invention being used asstabilization device by a camera operator.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the present invention being used as amonopod.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 5—5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a rectangular solid used in the gimbal for usein the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a balancing weight for use with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view showing a camera mounted to a camerapositioning plate forming part of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the camera positioning plate andwinged bolt forming part of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a bottom positioning plate formingpart of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a flat bottom plate forming partof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the camera mounting assembly.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the camera amounting assembly.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the inventive stabilization device used with abottom camera mounting assembly.

FIG. 15 is a plan front view of the bottom camera mounting assembly ofFIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 3 through 7, the construction of the presentinvention will be described. The stabilization device 10 centers arounda main body part 12 that consists of a generally C-shaped member 14terminating in a top tubular portion 16 at the top of the C-shapedmember and in a bottom tubular portion 18 at the bottom of the C-shapedmember. The top of tubular portion 16 has a threaded bore for receivinga threaded member 20 which forms part of a camera mounting assembly 22.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7-13, the camera mountingassembly 22 is made up of a generally flat bottom plate 24 (FIG. 11)defined by a generally rectangular periphery of four edges: short edges28 and 32, and long edges 26 and 32. Plate 24 also contains twoelongated transverse slots 34 and 36. Slot 34 spans along and isparallel to the short edge 32 of plate 24. Slot 36 spans along and isparallel to the short edge 28 of plate 24. Also forming part of thecamera mounting assembly is a bottom positioning plate 40 (FIG. 10).This plate 40 is generally rectangular shaped as defined by four edges:short edges 42 and 46, and long edges 44 and 48. Defined near the middleof each edge 42 and 46 of the bottom positioning plate 40 is a threadedbore 50 a and 50 b.

Bottom positioning plate 40 is placed on flat bottom plate 24 so thatthreaded bore 50 a lines up in slot 34 and so that threaded bore 50 blines up in slot 36. Threaded pins 52 a and 52 b are screwed intocorresponding threaded bores 50 a and 50 b after passing through slots34 and 36 so as to movably secure bottom positioning plate 40 to bottomplate 24 so that plate 40 can move bi-directionally in opposingdirections shown by arrows A and B in FIG. 7.

Long edges 44 and 48 each have a flange member 54 and 58, respectively.Each flange extends in a direction parallel to the associated edge andin a generally perpendicular direction relative to and away from theplane defined by the bottom positioning plate 40. Each flange 54 and 58contains a threaded bore 64 a and 64 b, respectively.

Completing the camera mounting assembly is a top camera positioningplate 66 (FIGS. 7-9, 12 and 13). This plate is generally rectangularlyshaped as defined by four edges: short edges 72 and 76 and long edges 74and 78. Edges 74 and 78 each have a flange member 84 and 88respectively. Each flange extends in a direction parallel to theassociated edge and in a generally perpendicular direction relative toand away from the plane defined by the top positioning plate 66. Eachflange 84 and 88 contains an elongated slot 94 and 98, respectively. Theplanar portion 100 of plate 66 has a plurality of spaced holes 102arranged along the longitudinal axis of the camera positioning plate 66.The holes 102 provide a hole for receiving a winged threaded bolt 104for mounting a camera C to the plate in a conventional manner. Theparticular hole 102 is selected to center the weight of the camera onthe top camera positioning plate 66. A washer 105 is used to hold thewinged bolt in place. Friction strips 322 and 324 are provided tofurther hold the camera in position when the camera is mounted to thecamera mounting assembly.

Top camera positioning plate 66 is then positioned on the bottompositioning plate 40 so that slot 94 lines up with threaded bore 64 aand slot 98 lines up with threaded bore 64b. Thus top camera positioningplate 66 is slidably mounted to bottom camera mounting plate 40 bythreaded pins 112 a and 112 b so that the top camera positioning canmove bi-directionally in the directions shown by arrows E and F in FIG.7.

With reference to FIGS. 3-6 the rest of the stabilization device 10 willbe described. Top tubular portion 16 contains an interior hollow portion140 that is generally cylindrically shaped and extends upward and inwardfrom the bottom surface. 142 of tubular portion 16. The hollow portion140 is sized to receive a gimbal 150 in the form of a device with twomutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation G and H, thusgiving free angular movement in two directions. The gimbal is also freeto rotate about an axis Y to provide universal movement.

With reference to FIG. 5, the gimbal 150 consists of two parts; topmember 152 and bottom member 154. Each member is generally cylindricallyshaped terminating at an end in a yoke formed of two yoke members 155and 156. A gimbal core member is shown in FIG. 5A and consists of arectangular solid 158 having a protrusion 159 a-159 d emanating fromeach face 160-163, respectively. Each pair of opposing protrusions 159a-159 b and 159 c-159 d are rotatable positioned in opposed pairs ofopenings 166 in opposed pairs of yokes 155-156. In this way the gimbalcan move in two perpendicular directions as evidenced by arrow G in FIG.3 and arrow H in FIG. 4. Top member 152 is held in opening 140 by abushing bearing combination 170. In this way, top member 152 is held inopening 140 by a bushing bearing combination 170. In this way, topmember 152 is free to rotate about vertical axis Y. Threaded plasticscrew 153 is received in threaded bore 157 and acts as a brake againsttop member 152 to limit its movement. Bottom member is secured to anelongated handle 172 by a convention means such as a screw (not shown).

The elongated handle has a bottom surface 174 that surrounds a threadedbore 176 which extends into the handle. A threaded headless screw 178has one end screwed into bore 176. A tightening disk 180 has a centralthreaded bore for receiving screw 178. Finally a clearance member 184,through a central threaded bore 186, is screwed onto screw 178.

Secured to the bottom tubular portion 18 of the main body 12 is anelongated hollow sleeve 190, which receives the top end 192 of a monopod200. The top end 192 is received in hollow sleeve 190 and is secured inthe sleeve by a threaded pin 194 that terminates at its top end by a cap196.

The monopod 200 has a conventional structure consisting of telescopinglegs 202 a-202 d and complementary leg locks 204 a-204 c. The monopodterminates at its bottom end in a conventional rubber foot 206 used toobtain sure footing when the stabilization device is used in a monopodmode. The foot can be removed to reveal a threaded bore 312 (FIG. 15) toreceive a threaded spike to enhance placement of the monopod on theground or to receive a low-mode camera attachment as described later.The handle 172 has a conventional cushion covering 210 so that thestabilization device 12 can be comfortably held in a users hand.

The stabilization device 10 has a series of detachable weights 212 a-212c. With reference to FIG. 6, the construction of one of the weights 212will be described. Each weight consists of a pair of semicircular cuffs214 a and 214 b. The cuffs are held together by conventional fasteners,such as screws 216 a and 216 b. As will be explained, the weights can bedistributed on either of top portion 16 and sleeve 190 depending on theweight of the camera secured to the camera mounting assembly 22.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the operation of the stabilizationdevice 12 by a camera operator P will now be described. Initially, thecamera C needs to be mounted to the camera mounting assembly 22. CameraC is placed on the top of the platform 66 and is secured into positionby the wing bolt 104 which has a threaded portion that screws into aconventional threaded bore defined in the camera C. The platform 66 ismovably mounted to bottom positioning plate 40 and is movably securedthereto by threaded locking pins 112 a and 112 b. In turn, the bottomsurface of positioning plate 40 is movably secured to the top surface offlat bottom plate 24 by locking pins 52 a and 52 b. Finally, the bottomplate. 24 is secured to the top tubular portion 16. In this way, thecamera-mounting platform moves for-and-aft and side-to-side to allowadjustment of the horizontal balance of the stabilization device 12. Thecamera should now be balanced and the monopod should be positioned in astraight vertical line orientation when the handle 172 is held as shownin FIG. 1.

Now the camera and monopod structure will be balanced. Initially, threebalancing weights 212 a-212 c are placed about the sleeve 190. Also, thehandle 172 should be held by the operator P as shown in FIG. 1. Theweights are then moved up and down in the directions shown by arrow lineK, eventually a point will be reached where the camera C can rightitself when tipped. Once balance has been reached, the camera can thenbe moved in any direction and, despite the thrusting movement, thecamera will stay straight. For a small camera, one or more weightsshould be secured to the top tubular portion 16. See for example, FIG. 1and weight 212 a.

The stabilization device can also be used like a conventional monopod.This is accomplished by moving handle 172 into the position shown inFigs.2, 4 and 5. Initially, the clearance member 184 is rotated to movethe clearance member upward toward the tightening disk 180 thusproviding clearance for the end cap 196 when the handle 172 is movedfrom the position in FIG. 1 to the position in FIG. 2. With the handle172 hovering over the end cap 196, clearance member 184 is rotated tomove downward thereby causing the clearance member to surround andencompass cap 196 in order to fix the position of the handle 172,relative to the C-shaped member 14 so that the stabilization device canbe held by handle 172 while the monopod is extended to touch the groundas shown in FIG. 2. In this way the stabilization device 10 can be usedas a monopod.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the use of the stabilization devicefor low camera shooting will be described. Sometimes a camera operator Pwould like to take a low level shot. Normally this is accomplished bythe operator lying on or near the ground to hold the camera at theproper position. With the present invention, this can be accomplishedwith the inventive stabilization device.

In order to properly mount the camera, the present invention uses arectangular frame that consists of a bottom stick portion 304, two sidestick portions 305 and 306 and a top stick portion 307. Together theseportions join to form frame 304 for receiving camera C. The cameramounting assembly 22 is secured to bottom portion 304 through a suitablefastener such as a screw (not shown) so that the camera may be mountedwithin the frame. At the center of the top stick 307 of the frame.304there is a threaded bolt 310 which passes through a cylindrical bore 311in top stick 307 and into threaded portion 312 defined at the bottom ofbottom leg 202d of the monopod 200.

In order to be able to follow the action when using the camera, an LCDscreen is mounted to the top of the stabilization device 10. The LCDscreen contains a plug 320 for connecting the D LCD screen to the videooutput of the camera C so that the image to be recorded is shown in theLCD screen.

The stabilization device 10 with the bottom frame 304 and camera C isbalanced in much the same way as when the camera is mounted to the topof the stabilization device. First, the camera C is centered on theframe by being mounted to the camera mounting assembly 22 as describedbefore so that the monopod is vertically oriented when the stabilizationdevice is held by the handle 172 as shown in FIG. 14. The weights 212are then adjusted up and down on tubular pieces 16 and 190. Eventually apoint will be reached where the camera C can right itself when tipped.Once balance has been reached, the camera can then be moved in anydirection and, despite the thrusting movement, the camera will staystraight. Also, because most of the weight is in the camera, additionalweights 212 will have to be added to the tubular portion 16 and 190.

While the invention has been described in terms of certain embodiments,it is not intended that the invention be limited to the abovedescription, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims. Forexample, the stabilization device-can be used in its balancing mode withor without the monopod 200. If the monopod is removed, then the weights212 a-212 c will have to be adjusted up or down the tubular sleeve 190.Also, with the handle 172 in the secured position, the monopod can beremoved, and the remainder of the stabilization device 10 can be used asa standard handle to hold the camera during shooting. The weights 212a-212 c can be removed to lighten the device 10 during shooting.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image stabilization system for use with acamera by a camera operator, said system comprising: a body memberhaving top and bottom ends, the top end containing a top portion and thebottom end containing a bottom portion; an extendable monopod havingfirst and second ends; the first end of the monopod being attached tothe bottom portion of the body member; a camera mounting plate, themounting plate being secured to the body member; a handle member, thehandle member being secured to the body member; and balancing weightssecured to at least one of the body member and the monopod andadjustable on the at least one body member and monopod so that when acamera is mounted on the mounting plate and the system is held by thehandle member by the camera operator, the camera stays in a stableposition during use of the camera.
 2. The image stabilization system ofclaim 1, wherein the camera mounting plate is secured to the top portionand the handle member has first and second ends with the first end beingsecured to the top portion.
 3. The image stabilization system of claim2, wherein the second end of the handle member has a securing device forsecuring the second end to the bottom portion of the body member and themonopod is made up of a plurality of extensible sections arranged in atelescoping manner so that the monopod can be used in a conventionalmanner when the system is held by the secured handle member.
 4. Theimage stabilization system of claim 2, wherein the second end of thehandle member has a securing device for securing the second end to thebottom portion of the body member and the monopod is removably mountedso that the handle member may be held by the camera operator to balancethe camera when the monopod is removed from the bottom portion.
 5. Theimage stabilization system of claim 4, wherein the camera is stillbalanced even with removal of the balancing weights.
 6. An imagestabilization system for use with a camera by a camera operator, saidsystem comprising: a body member having a generally C-shape with a firstend at one end of the C-shape and a second end at the other end of theC-shape with a top portion at the first end of the C-shape and a bottomportion at the second end of the C-shape; a monopod having first andsecond ends, the monopod made up of a plurality of elongated sectionsarranged in a telescopic manner to extend the length of the monopod froma first length to a second length, with the second length being longerthan the first length; the first end of the monopod being slidablyattached to the bottom portion of the body member; an adjustable cameramounting plate, the mounting plate being secured to the body member, anelongated handle member having a first end and a second end; a universaljoint for movably securing the first end of the handle member to thebody member so that the handle member is movable in all directions; andbalancing weights movably secured to at least one of the body member andthe monopod and adjustable along the at least one body member andmonopod so that when a camera is mounted on the mounting plate and thesystem is held by the handle member by the camera operator, the camerastays in a stable position during use of the camera.
 7. An imagestabilization system for use with a camera by a camera operator, saidsystem comprising: a body member; an extendable monopod having a top endand a bottom end; a camera-mounting frame secured to the bottom end ofthe monopod; the top end of the monopod being attached to the bodymember; a camera mounting plate, the camera-mounting plate being securedwithin the camera mounting frame; a handle member, the handle memberbeing secured to the body member; and balancing weights secured to atleast one of the body member and the monopod and adjustable on the atleast one body member and monopod so that when a camera is mounted onthe camera-mounting plate and the system is held by the handle member bythe camera operator, the camera stays in a stable position during use ofthe camera.
 8. The stabilization system of claim 7, wherein thecamera-mounting frame comprises a top stick portion, two side stickportions and a bottom stick portion joined to form a generallyrectangular frame.
 9. The stabilization system of claim 8, wherein thecamera-mounting plate is secured to the bottom stick portion.
 10. Thestabilization system of claim 7, wherein the handle member has first andsecond ends with the first end being secured to the top portion.
 11. Theimage stabilization system of claim 10, wherein the second end of thedevice for securing the second end to the bottom portion of the bodymember so that the handle member may be held by the camera operator tohand balance the camera that is mounted within the camera-mountingframe.